Abstract:
Methods of making coated implantable medical devices are provided. The methods include positioning a first layer comprising a bioactive on at least a portion of a structure, and positioning at least one porous layer over the first layer. The at least one porous layer has a thickness adequate to provide a controlled release of the bioactive.
Abstract:
The present invention provides improved anesthesia delivery systems that consistently and reliably deliver anesthesia gas to multiple gas outlets. The systems are particularly useful for anesthetizing multiple mammals and living specimens to be imaged by a low-light level imaging system. The anesthesia delivery systems are suitable for use with conventional oxygen sources, and convert the high pressures associated with a conventional oxygen source to lower pressures suitable for use with small mammals and suitable for combination with an anesthesia gas at low flow rates. The systems include an anesthesia gas source that combines anesthesia gas with the oxygen. The combination of anesthesia gas and oxygen is supplied to one or more multiple outlets.
Abstract:
A radially expandable artificial valve prosthesis for regulating fluid flow through a body vessel is provided. The prosthesis includes a radially expandable ring frame, at least one valve leaflet attached to the ring frame forming a valve pocket and a support structure attached to the ring frame and adapted to position the ring frame within the bodily passage. The height of the valve pocket is less than the maximum cross sectional dimension of the lumen defined by the expanded ring frame. The valve leaflet is allows fluid flow in a first, antegrade, direction and restricts flow in a second, retrograde direction.
Abstract:
The present invention is based on the identification of a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that is expressed predominantly in the brain and placenta and nucleic acid molecules that encoded the GPCR, which is referred to herein as the hCAR protein and hCAR gene respectively (for human Constitutively Active Receptor). Based on this identification, the present invention provides: (1) isolated hCAR protein; (2) isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode an hCAR protein; (3) antibodies that selectively bind to the hCAR protein; (4) methods of isolating allelic variants of the hCAR protein and gene; (5) methods of identifying cells and tissues that express the hCAR protein/gene; (6) methods of identifying agents and cellular compounds that bind to the hCAR protein; (7) methods of identifying agents that modulate the expression of the hCAR gene; and (8) methods of modulating the activity of the hCAR protein in a cell or organism.
Abstract:
Improved wire guide devices having distal anchoring devices and methods of them percutaneously are provided. One device includes a wire guide having a distal portion operatively coupled to a holding body having a self-expanding end portion having wire members capable of assuming a first radially compressed configuration and a second radially expanded resilient configuration. Another device includes a wire guide distal portion operatively coupled to a distal anchoring device having a distal self-expanding suspension portion having a plurality of stabilizers capable of assuming a first radially compressed configuration when constrained by the outer sheath and a second radially expanded resilient configuration when the sheath is withdrawn proximally. An elongate outer sheath with first and second openings defining a lumen therebetween and slideably constrain the self-expanding portions to the compressed configuration. Expanded configurations help keep the wire guide distal portion at a target site within a body lumen.
Abstract:
A multiple-sided medical device comprises a frame comprising wire or other resilient material and having a series of bends and interconnecting sides. The device has both a flat configuration and a second, folded configuration which a generally serpentine shape. The device is pushed from a delivery catheter into the lumen of a duct or vessel and may include one or more barbs for anchoring purposes. A full or partial covering of fabric or other flexible material such as DACRON, PTFE, or a collagen-based material such as small intestinal submucosa (SIS), may be sutured or attached to the frame using heat or pressure welding crimping, adhesive, or other techniques to form an occlusion device, a stent graft, or an implantable, intraluminal valve such as for correcting incompetent veins in the lower legs and feet.
Abstract:
The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for purifying recombinant myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and fragments thereof. In particular, the invention provides a one-step purification method for MAG and MAG fragments. Novel forms of human recombinant MAG protein are also disclosed in addition to methods of reliably producing and storing stable recombinant MAG proteins.
Abstract:
A coated medical device (10) including a structure (12) adapted for introduction into a passage or vessel of a patient. The structure is formed of preferably a non-porous base material (14) having a bioactive material layer (18) disposed thereon. The medical device is preferably an implantable stent or balloon (26) of which the bioactive material layer is deposited thereon. The stent can be positioned around the balloon and another layer of the bioactive material posited over the entire structure and extending beyond the ends of the positioned stent. The ends of the balloon extend beyond the ends of the stent and include the bioactive material thereon for delivering the bioactive material to the cells of a vessel wall coming in contact therewith. The balloon further includes a layer of hydrophilic material (58) positioned between the base and bioactive material layers of the balloon.
Abstract:
An anastomosis device (12) for advantageously bridging an artery and a vein. The anastomosis device includes a tubular graft (15) with first and second ends (47 and 48) and a longitudinal passageway extending longitudinally through the graft. The device further includes a first stent (10) disposed about the first end of the tubular graft and a second stent (10) disposed about the second end of the tubular graft. Each of the first and second stents has a plurality of hooks or barbs (11) pointed or releasable to the point toward the other end of the graft.
Abstract:
A rear shifting and drive system, frame drop out, derailleur hanger and derailleur alignment tool provided with an axle attachment adapter/structure, a moveable collimated light source, and a collimated light source positioning linkage. The axle adapter/structure is attachable to a bicycle wheel axle and is rotationally moveable about the axis of the bicycle axle. The light source is moveably coupled to the axle adapter/structure by the light source positioning linkage, to move in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the bicycle rear axle. The light source is positioned to shine the cross laser simultaneously on the axle or plane of the axle and the system components of the shifting and drive system. A visual vertical alignment of the cogs of the cassette, and derailleur jockey wheels, to each other in each shifting position, and relative perpendicular to the axle or plane of the axle provides an easy visual aid in assessing the relative positions and orientations of the components. As such, worn, damaged, bent, broken or maladjusted components of the shifting and drive system can be assessed and adjusted, repaired or replaced without disassembly of the shifting and drive system.